The France playmaker, 29, has been vilified by fans for refusing to play or train since becoming aware of his former club's determination to re-sign him.

Claims that Payet's car and home have been vandalised by angry fans are being investigated but have not yet been verified by the Hammers.But as the increasingly acrimonious affair takes another twist, the club believe the whole controversy has arisen from the manner in which Marseille have gone about their business.

Marseille, sixth in the French top division, have already made two offers for Payet but both have been way below West Ham's £30million valuation.

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West Ham believe Dimitri Payet has been tapped up by Marseille (Image: West Ham via Getty)

The French club, however, are believed already to have made contact with Payet's camp behind West Ham's backs, to make him aware that they want him.

The club were bought by American businessman Frank McCourt in October. He has pledged to lift them to the top of Ligue 1 and to make them a force once more in Europe.

He is understood to have be ready to invest substantial funds into reaching his goal and, despite the insistence that Payet would be taking a pay cut, there is understood to be a lucrative deal on the table for him.

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Payet's camp continue to maintain he wants to return to France for family reasons.

Claims that Payet's wife, Ludivine, has already left however have also been dismissed by West Ham.